Anyone wish they were as stylish as their handbag?

[PJW5813]

nikka007
really sorry to read your dilemma
that problem can cause swings either way - might you loose what you gained?
I'm sure you can find clothes that you like and in which you will feel comfortable
thereby you will become stylish again in your eyes
Size is not a determinant of style.

 

[EmilyM111]

nikka007
really sorry to read your dilemma
that problem can cause swings either way - might you loose what you gained?
I'm sure you can find clothes that you like and in which you will feel comfortable
thereby you will become stylish again in your eyes
Size is not a determinant of style.

Thank you - yes, I’ve just started working with a dietician to reduce inflammation and lose weight so fingers crossed. Absolutely agree that you can find nice clothes in various sizes but guess my issues is the body type coupled with high weight.
Tried to hang out in my home town seeking for local designers stuff and they literally said really sorry but we make clothes up to size M. I’m sure I can find something but was really interesting to come across this topic just as I yesterday felt I don’t belong to my Chanel Flap lol. Think I struggle as I gained weight all over my body which was already very athletic at size 12 and now have masculine arms and weird wide waist (not big tummy which you can then style in tunic or long shirt but wide waist eek) and even forearms and wrist (for that reason I had to decline Hermes Apple Watch strap and celine leather bracelet).

 

[litchi]

This is a good topic. Birkins aside, I believe we should always dress well -- appropriate to our lifestyle and budget -- to present ourselves as best as we can, in or out of our homes.

When we allow ourselves to not care how we look at all times, saying, "I'm just running to the store, this outfit is for comfort / no one will see me anyway", we fall into a way of thinking that there are some occasions deserving of our nice, fashionable clothes (and matching Birkin) and other occasions when we just couldn't care less about what we're wearing or how we look (rendering a Birkin a "non-match" in these instances).

Why not treat Birkins as any other practical accessory that completes an already polished look? How about a daily effort to be nicely dressed so it won't matter whether it's a Birkin or a cloth tote, this accessory will match what we're wearing?

It's like the attitude of many French and Italian women of-a-certain-age who never leave the house without well-coiffed hair, pressed clothes with clean lines, tasteful jewelry, nylons, and polished shoes regardless of age or dress size. It must take effort, but they always look great! And they probably don't give a second thought to their handbags.

 

[EmilyM111]

This is a good topic. Birkins aside, I believe we should always dress well -- appropriate to our lifestyle and budget -- to present ourselves as best as we can, in or out of our homes.

When we allow ourselves to not care how we look at all times, saying, "I'm just running to the store, this outfit is for comfort / no one will see me anyway", we fall into a way of thinking that there are some occasions deserving of our nice, fashionable clothes (and matching Birkin) and other occasions when we just couldn't care less about what we're wearing or how we look (rendering a Birkin a "non-match" in these instances).

Why not treat Birkins as any other practical accessory that completes an already polished look? How about a daily effort to be nicely dressed so it won't matter whether it's a Birkin or a cloth tote, this accessory will match what we're wearing?

It's like the attitude of many French and Italian women of-a-certain-age who never leave the house without well-coiffed hair, pressed clothes with clean lines, tasteful jewelry, nylons, and polished shoes regardless of age or dress size. It must take effort, but they always look great! And they probably don't give a second thought to their handbags.

I’d prefer not to be intense (but as usual I am). Is the same required of men? If yes - that’s absolutely fine.

 

[litchi]

I’d prefer not to be intense (but as usual I am). Is the same required of men? If yes - that’s absolutely fine.

Do I think it should be required of men? Absolutely! Thank you for raising that point. Men should always dress appropriately and be well-groomed so they look good whether they are carrying their Hermès bags or cloth totes. It takes effort , but it's well worth it.

I'm not so sure I understand what you meant by intense. Is it a strong reaction to my post? I tried to make it generally applicable to be food-for-thought and useful to others, but I guess that's not easily accomplished as members of tpf are of different cultures, age groups, and values (and gender!). My mention of the chic, well-dressed ladies was in relation to the topic of carrying Birkins, and my own observations and emulation of these inspiring women.

 

[EmilyM111]

Do I think it should be required of men? Absolutely! Thank you for raising that point. Men should always dress appropriately and be well-groomed so they look good whether they are carrying their Hermès bags or cloth totes. It takes effort , but it's well worth it.

I'm not so sure I understand what you meant by intense. Is it a strong reaction to my post? I tried to make it generally applicable to be food-for-thought and useful to others, but I guess that's not easily accomplished as members of tpf are of different cultures, age groups, and values (and gender!). My mention of the chic, well-dressed ladies was in relation to the topic of carrying Birkins, and my own observations and emulation of these inspiring women.

Nah, I’m just called intense by my surrounding whenever I express a strong opinion so made a joke.
Agree - the idea that people should dress well resonates me with. I’m though sensitive to the topic as a feminist as I see loads of women putting a lot of effort and money into looks (beyond just nice and elegant) and think what they could do with their time/money otherwise. I get that we are all different but do wonder how many do that due to specific socialisation. I’ve heard loads of opinions where nice and looked after extends to serious make up, nails, facials, plastic surgery or at least some invasive treatments , expensive footwear and clothes (matching Birkin )and and and.

 

[doni]

Why not treat Birkins as any other practical accessory that completes an already polished look? How about a daily effort to be nicely dressed so it won't matter whether it's a Birkin or a cloth tote, this accessory will match what we're wearing?

It's like the attitude of many French and Italian women of-a-certain-age who never leave the house without well-coiffed hair, pressed clothes with clean lines, tasteful jewelry, nylons, and polished shoes regardless of age or dress size. It must take effort, but they always look great! And they probably don't give a second thought to their handbags.

This. I don’t identify with the OP’s predicament because I am old fashioned in that, to me, bags remain accessories, or as we say in the Latin languages ‘complements’, i.e. something that completes a look, that accompanies the main dish but is accessory to it. I have always been more interested in fashion and clothes than in handbags per se, so I do not feel I have to dress for the handbag, rather, the handbag has to fit how I choose to present myself. There is this school of thought that if you wear a Hermes or a Chanel (and throw a Cartier love or juc into the mix) you can get away with cheap random clothes because they ‘elevate’ the look. Don’t agree with this at all. That doesn’t mean that there is a ‘right’ way to wear Hermes bags. One can wear them super casual in my view, but not all casual looks are equal.

 

[litchi]

Nah, I’m just called intense by my surrounding whenever I express a strong opinion so made a joke.
Agree - the idea that people should dress well resonates me with. I’m though sensitive to the topic as a feminist as I see loads of women putting a lot of effort and money into looks (beyond just nice and elegant) and think what they could do with their time/money otherwise. I get that we are all different but do wonder how many do that due to specific socialisation. I’ve heard loads of opinions where nice and looked after extends to serious make up, nails, facials, plastic surgery or at least some invasive treatments , expensive footwear and clothes (matching Birkin )and and and.

Oh, no, I wouldn't go as far as suggesting looking our best includes all that (portion in bold letters)! A clean /clear face, a good cut or hairstyle, clothes and shoes that fit and make us happy to wear, and a bag that carries all we need for the day should be enough. I, myself, haven't crossed the line to industrial-strength hairspray (so there's not a hair out of place). Maybe a few years from now it may appeal to me.

 

[QuelleFromage]

To me, a bag is an accessory to however I choose to dress that day. I don't have to "live up" to it. especially a Birkin, which is a casual bag and goes perfectly well with a white tee and jeans.
I do have bags which are more appropriate to more formal dress, but that just means matching the accessory to the occasion.

 

[EmilyM111]

Oh, no, I wouldn't go as far as suggesting looking our best includes all that (portion in bold letters)! A clean /clear face, a good cut or hairstyle, clothes and shoes that fit and make us happy to wear, and a bag that carries all we need for the day should be enough. I, myself, haven't crossed the line to industrial-strength hairspray (so there's not a hair out of place). Maybe a few years from now it may appeal to me.

Of course you didn’t but I did come across many opinions like that (not in here though)

 

[remainsilly]

Just be yourself
No need to tell everyone
I can afford Hermes
I wearing Hermes
I buying Hermes
I using Hermes
Next please haha

Omg, yes!!!!!
---
Will be 1st to admit I wear "whatever" with my h bags.
Probably the world is appalled & does not bow in awe of my fashionista superpowers.
Meh.

But, after consideration--of becoming more similar in style to nice handbags--
I want a palladium zipper down my middle.
Would be handy, especially after eating doughnuts. Unzip, remove, done.
Or, if need to store extra umbrella.

 

[GoldFish8]

Sometimes you have to rush to the pharmacy before it closes because your kid has an ear infection.. you’re in the middle of cooking dinner.. wearing sweatpants T-shirt and crocs. Your birkin is on the kitchen counter so you grab it and run out. This was me yesterday. At one point I thought to myself “I look like a person who stole someone else’s birkin” ... but then I got over it real fast. I paid for my purse so I will use it however/whenever I like. The other day I used my b25 as a diaper bag. I love my purses and if I start to only use them when I’m dressed “appropriately” I would only use them seldomly and to me that is not acceptable considering their cost.

 

[QuelleFromage]

"I'm too sexy for my bag, too sexy for my bag..."

 

[GoldFish8]

"I'm too sexy for my bag, too sexy for my bag..."

Lol. Great. Now I’m gonna have that Song stuck in my head all day.

 

[ladysarah]

This is a good topic. Birkins aside, I believe we should always dress well

It's like the attitude of many French and Italian women of-a-certain-age who never leave the house without well-coiffed hair, pressed clothes with clean lines, tasteful jewelry, nylons, and polished shoes regardless of age or dress size. It must take effort, but they always look great! And they probably don't give a second thought to their handbags.

This is such a great topic and I would add that is very much a cultural thing. French & Italian women are generally very well turned out no matter their age ( I say generally because there are always exceptions and no doubt someone here knows some badly turned out ones.) Europeans tend to buy less clothes and everything is nicely coordinated. When I visit Paris i often see them carry old battered bags (vintage Hermes abound) with their impeccable outfits. Having said that the women in Manhattan are the most well groomed women I’ve ever seen. Some of them looked practically airbrushed.